One meeting, one phone call can change the trajectory of your life In 2000 I had a brand new wife (less than 6 months) who was 18 years old and a 6 month old son I owned a roof removal business/demoltion company with 8 employees. I was 21 It was an El Niño year = a lot of rain = not many work days We were broke, had no savings, no family help and fighting to make it in every area of life After the rain stopped I got a call from Sexton Roofing, new customer, needing a couple hundred squares of wood shake torn off at a local HOA. It was a good size job and I needed the work I drove my 1963 Ford C600 dump truck with guys in the back and we worked for 2 weeks tearing off roofs The invoice was just over $13,000 - literally ALL my net worth For two weeks I kept asking about billing, payment terms and who to send the bills to - NO response. I couldn't get a hold of anyone at Sexton Roofing So I drove to the job one day. There was one worker there on a large job. I said "hey do you work Sexton Roofing" they went under kid - im just here to see what needs fnished My heart sank. I had payroll on Friday - NO money Then they guys says "there used to be another roof removal guy working in here. his trucks said 1-800-roof removal" I immediately called the number A man named Liam Carlin answered (the owner) I told him I had worked on the HOA project and I hadn't been paid. Asked him what he knew and what I should do. He said - come to my office right now and bring the invoices for the buildings you've worked on I drove directly to his office He said - I have a contact at the HOA and she is paying bills for the work done. I am going to put your invoices in my name and I'll collect the money for you. It was $13,000 - I was about to cry Liam then said: do you have money for payroll. No I dont. Im broke, all my money went into the job. He pulled out $5,000 in cash, handed it to me. It was enough to cover payroll He said come back on Friday and Ill have the palace for you He had ZERO reason to help me - ZERO In fact if he didnt - I would have not payed my workers, lots my crew and most likely been out of business He saved me - he changed my life I went on to a 20 year career in demolition Ive supported my family, sent my kids to college, bought a house - all because the kindness of a stranger My son in named Liam - hes named after a man that changed the trajectory of my families life I still talk to Liam Sr almost daily Happy New Year